Baby pigeon care

[albinosilver]

There is a racing pigeon club in my town and I went to get a pigeon from one of the people there. He sold me a young one because he said it would be easier to train. I don’t plan on racing, I just wanted to get one as a pet. How old does this pigeon look? Is it old enough to be eating on its own? Does it need more pigeons as friends or will it be alright on its own?

Thanks!

 

[backyard pigeons]

There is a racing pigeon club in my town and I went to get a pigeon from one of the people there. He sold me a young one because he said it would be easier to train. I don’t plan on racing, I just wanted to get one as a pet. How old does this pigeon look? Is it old enough to be eating on its own? Does it need more pigeons as friends or will it be alright on its own?

Thanks!

hello there! what a cute little fella! is this going to be a house pet? if so, I would say you dont need another, but if its gonna be outside, s/he would enjoy a campanion. I would say its about 3 1/2 weeks old. old enough to eat on its own. do you plan to free fly this guy? if so, remember, never fly a bird you cant bear to lose. I hope this helps.

 

[coltgrizzz]

Looks quite young. You can tell if it’s mature or not by the sounds it makes, juveniles make a squeaky sound and adults coo. Looks old enough to eat on his own but i would monitor him. It’s recommended that there be another pigeon partner it could have but if you take him out of the cage periodically throughout the day for 30 minutes he should be fine

 

[CCUK]

There is a racing pigeon club in my town and I went to get a pigeon from one of the people there. He sold me a young one because he said it would be easier to train. I don’t plan on racing, I just wanted to get one as a pet. How old does this pigeon look? Is it old enough to be eating on its own? Does it need more pigeons as friends or will it be alright on its own?

Thanks!

It looks quite young and would still be being fed by its parents. It should also be starting to eat on its own. Put some feed in a small tray in front of it and play with some seed it should be picking them up on its own. I imagine it still squeaks and flaps it's wings when being fed.

 

[albinosilver]

It has not made a single sound so far. Is that normal? It seems very calm and peaceful. I put a bowl of water and some seeds with gamebird starter mixed in. I saw it drinking and picking at some feed.

 

[CCUK]

It has not made a single sound so far. Is that normal? It seems very calm and peaceful. I put a bowl of water and some seeds with gamebird starter mixed in. I saw it drinking and picking at some feed.

Yes that sounds good.

 

[Qwerty3159]

Good to hear its taking care of itself.
Of the four squabs I've had two of them would climb out of the nest box and eat and drink on their own and weaned themselves at around that age, while the other two took the free feedings as long as possible.
They learn really quickly at that age and even though you don't plan on racing it you can still get a head start on "indoor manners". @Serin has a very well behaved house pigeon.

 

[albinosilver]

@CCUK @Qwerty3159
Thank you for the advice. Do you know what colour he is or will be once he’s grown up? Is there a specific name for the colour?

 

[cavemanrich]

The person that sold you the pigeon, knew quite well not to give you one that was TOO YOUNG.
Looks like at 3 1/2 weeks like BP guesstimated. If squab was still with parent, (at that age, the papa feeds it) he still would be fed regurgitated seeds. At this stage,,,,, there is not much crop milk in the dads regurgitated feed. You can wet/moisten the seeds you give Lil JR, so it is easier for him to digest (moist vs dry) You will need to provide grit for him as well.
Feeding thawed frozen peas is also a good option for young squabs.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[CCUK]

@CCUK @Qwerty3159
Thank you for the advice. Do you know what colour he is or will be once he’s grown up? Is there a specific name for the colour?

I'm not too sure on the colour. Normally they are blue check or blue bar. Blue actually being grey. It's too dark for blue and the tips of the feathers look pencilled I think its called. @biophiliac knows alot about the different colourations.